Federated Hermes marks Global Recycling Day

Every year, the world generates 2bn tonnes of waste – and by 2050, this is expected to jump by 70% from current levels to 3.4bn tonnes . Urgent action is needed to reduce waste and transition to a circular economy – and recycling is a key part of this.

Improving sustainability through recycling

As an active investor, we believe we have an important role to play in engaging companies to encourage responsible business practices. As a result, we frequently engage companies on a range of issues from accelerating the transition to a net-zero-carbon economy to human rights issues.

What’s more, the Federated Hermes Pledge underpins our firm-wide commitment to always put clients first, and to act responsibly and transparently. Specifically, it encourages staff to “act with consideration for our community and the environment both now and in the future” and asks us to encourage others to do the same.

It follows that we are keenly aware of the need to act as a responsible firm ourselves - and this extends to our recycling practices.

Driving better recycling in our London office

To mark Global Recycling Day, we highlight the recycling efforts at 150 Cheapside1 in 2019:

The amount of waste produced decreased by 14.2% year-on-year

The weight of recyclable waste increased by 77.1%

Through our waste separation efforts, we recycled:

28 tonnes of glass bottles

90 tonnes of food

27 tonnes of cardboard

50 tonnes of dry recyclables

We did not send any waste to landfill

The recycling rate increased throughout the year, from 58% in January to a peak of 77% in November.

As an asset manager, our goals are to help individuals invest and retire better, to help clients achieve better risk-adjusted returns, and to contribute to positive outcomes in the wider world. That’s why we are committed to acting not only as a responsible investor but as a responsible firm too – and we will continue to focus on our recycling efforts to safeguard our planet for future generations.

1Note: the international business of Federated Hermes occupies two floors in 150 Cheapside. The 2019 stats represent the building as a whole. Source: 150 Cheapside Management